Audi is bolstering the defences of its A7 Sportback range

Audi is strengthening the defenses of its A7 Sportback range by offering quattro all-wheel-drive reassurance for more variants of the acclaimed executive class fastback.

Early next month, new models of 3.0-litre TDI quattro 204PS will be available to order to coincide with a new Standard trim level, which will be available exclusively with this engine. In new Standard form, the A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI will lower the range entry price to £39,995 OTR.

The new price of the new A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro will just be above at £41,675 OTR. In addition, the ‘entry level’ V6 TDI engine has only been offered in conjunction with front-wheel-drive and the eight-speed multitronic continuously variable transmission until now.

In this form, the engine powers the A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI 204PS to 62mph from rest in 7.4 seconds to a top speed of 146mph. At the same time, it offers the potential for 55.4mpg fuel economy with low 135g/km carbon dioxide emissions.

This configuration will remain with the new quattro all-wheel-drive variant, and is now available at £39,995 OTR. The A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro 204PS, which is equipped with the seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission, covers the 0-62mph sprint at 7.2 seconds, with top speed of 146mph and up to 48.7mpg with 152g/km CO2 emissions.

Benefit-in-kind liability for business users stands at 23% for the quattros and at 20% in front-wheel-drive variants.

The new Audi A7 Sportback range proves that it is able to maintain the standard figures in terms of low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions. Likewise, all the specs of a high-end executive car are presented in the latest TDI models.

The new Audi has exquisite leather upholstery (Milano) that blends perfectly with its sporty interior. Adding strength to the vehicle is the 18-inch alloy wheels to weather all types of road and driving conditions. Expect light and rain sensors, Xenon headlamps with LED that stays on, powered tailgate operation and the Audi drive-select adaptive dynamics. The premium car also comes with a built-in satellite navigation system along with its 6.5 inch coloured Multi-Media Interface.

There are no significant changes in the SE model specs except for the newly added features. Now, the latest model comes with the Audi Music Interface iPod connection, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, cruise control and the new Audi Parking System with audible and diagrammatical parking assistance.

The top of the line S model has S-line sports suspension, S-line sports seats, S-line exterior and interior styling treatments, Leather (Valcona) upholstery and a set of 19-inch alloy wheels.

All level variants will share the same new feature and that is the 3rd rear 3-point seatbelt. This allows the A7 Sportback to seat as many as 5 adults if needed. Indeed, the A7 is also practical and spacious (equivalent to 1390 litres of load) particularly if the rear seat is placed in split-folding position.

Under the hood, the A7 boasts of a more powerful 3.0 litre TDI engine (or 245PS). There is also the supercharged 3.0 litre (300PS) and naturally aspirated 2.8 litre petrol units. Without a doubt, these powerful features are connected to the A7’s S-tronic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive technology.

Using high amounts of aluminium, the A7 Sportback is lighter than any traditional steel. This feature perfectly complements the trapezoidal link rear suspension and 5-link front suspension. Expect firmer 10mm lower sport set-up, intensive S-line configuration handling and 3-ride air suspension system to come in every Sportback model.

Additional accessories are available for the premium model. These include: head-up display, in-car Internet access (with Wi-Fi hotspot), Google Earth map navigation system (complete with wireless WLAN link and UMTS module), large hard disk and highly responsive touchpad with 3D navigation tracker. All these are attached and are viewable in the 8-inch (MMI) touch screen. Other optional features include sport differential system, thermal imaging camera and all-LED headlights to provide utmost comfort for the driver.

Press Release

ORE AUDI A7 SPORTBACKS READY TO GET TO GRIPS WITH WINTER 2011

As the UK drifts inexorably towards another potentially slippery winter, Audi is bolstering the defences of its A7 Sportback range by offering quattro all-wheel-drive reassurance for more versions of the acclaimed executive class fastback. New 3.0-litre TDI quattro 204PS models will be available to order early next month to coincide with a new Standard trim level that will be available exclusively with this engine. In new Standard form the A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI will lower the range entry price to £39,995 OTR, with the new A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro just above at £41,675 OTR.

The ‘entry level’ V6 TDI engine has until now been offered only in conjunction with front-wheel-drive and the eight-speed multitronic continuously variable transmission. In this form it powers the A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI 204PS to 62mph from rest in 7.4 seconds and on to a 146mph top speed, while at the same time offering the potential for 55.4mpg fuel economy with low 135g/km CO2 emissions.

This configuration, which is now available from £39,995 OTR, will continue alongside the new quattro all-wheel-drive version. Equipped with the seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission, the A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro 204PS covers the 0-62mph sprint a fraction more quickly at 7.2 seconds, matches the 146mph top speed and offers up to 48.7mpg with CO2 emissions of 152g/km. Benefit-in-kind liability for business users stands at 20% in front-wheel-drive versions and 23% for the quattros.

Uncompromising standard specification

Just as the latest A7 TDI models manage to maintain impressive economy and emissions figures in quattro form, so the new Standard specification versions of these models deliver all the key features expected of a high end premium executive car. These include 18-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, Milano leather upholstery, the Multi Media Interface (MMI) with 6.5-inch colour display incorporating satellite navigation, Audi drive select adaptive dynamics, powered tailgate operation and light and rain sensors.

SE specification continues as before, and adds features such as the Audi Parking System Plus with audible and diagrammatical parking aids, cruise control, heated and electrically adjustable front seats and the Audi Music Interface iPod connection. The top rung belongs to the S line models, which upgrade further to 19-inch alloy wheels, Valcona leather upholstery, S line interior and exterior styling treatments, S line sports seats and S line sports suspension.

A new feature that will be common at all levels is the addition of a third rear three-point seatbelt which will enable the A7 Sportback to seat five adults when required. This will add a further element of practicality to the spacious interior, which can also provide up to 1,390 litres of load space when the split/folding rear seat is deployed.

Elsewhere it is business as usual for the range, which also includes a more powerful 245PS 3.0-litre TDI engine and naturally aspirated 204PS 2.8-litre or supercharged 300PS 3.0-litre petrol units, all of which are linked to quattro all-wheel-drive and S tronic transmission without exception. Innovative Audi thermal management technology, engine load-reducing electromechanical power steering, energy recuperation during coasting and braking and the engine start-stop function are also features of all models in the line-up.

Lighter than a conventional steel equivalent by 15 per cent through the use of a high proportion of aluminium, the streamlined body of the A7 Sportback is mounted on a completely new and exclusive-to-Audi platform employing advanced five link front and trapezoidal link rear suspension. This can be specified with a firmer, 10mm lower sport setting, an even more intensively handling-oriented S line configuration or an extensively revised version of the Audi adaptive air suspension system with three ride settings.

Dedicated drivers can also opt for advanced all-LED headlights, a thermal imaging camera for night vision and, for maximum benefit from the quattro system, a sport differential which can apportion torque between the rear wheels for even greater handling agility and adjustability. Options with a more business class slant include MMI Touch with its 8-inch monitor, fingertip sensitive touch pad, 3D navigation mapping and sizeable hard disk; a UMTS module with wireless WLAN link feeding the navigation system with Google Earth maps and creating a WiFi hotspot in the car for mobile internet access; and a head-up display.

The list of more indulgent luxuries includes comfort seats with heating, cooling and massaging functions, a parallel and perpendicular parking assistant, acoustic glazing, a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system with 1,300 watts of power, digital TV reception and ambient LED interior lighting.

Picture caption

Audi A7 Sportback sets the standard– A new and impressively comprehensive Standard specification becomes available early next month for Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI 204PS models, which also now offer the option of quattro all-wheel-drive. Front-wheel-drive Standard models are priced from £39,995 OTR, and quattros from £41,675 OTR.